'Don't judge Monk's Boro yet'

“I think when we were in the Championship and the year we won (the title) we were quite low to start with a gradually built momentum and went on a great run so I wouldn’t draw too many conclusions from the start they’ve had.

“I think they’ve got very good players, you saw them rotate the squad tonight and a lot of the players – okay some of them were young guys – but a lot of those guys were in the Premier League last season and were very competitive.

“So when you add that to those who weren’t playing you’ve got a very strong squad with a great manager who I think will do very well.”

AFC Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe

22:42Dominic Shaw

A proud older brother!

22:27Dominic Shaw

Talking points and decisions moving forward

Well first of all, Marcus Tavernier.

Credit to him. That’s three cup appearances this season and he’s made an impact in each and every one.

Roll on January and the FA Cup...or will he get another chance before then?

While Tavernier’s performance and goal is the biggest positive, Monk’s real concern comes at the other end of the pitch.

That’s six games without keeping a clean sheet now. In the early stages of the season Boro looked positive enough but that feels a long time ago now.

Boro must tighten up again quickly and stop leaking these soft, avoidable goals.

Former Chelsea men Nathan Ake and Patrick Bamford

A lot of praise for Connor Roberts tonight. Opportunities have been hard to come by for the Swansea defender this season but he’s looked solid and polished enough when given a chance.

Roberts is unlikely to start at Reading...but how about Adama Traore?

No bus talk tonight. Or daft penalties given away.

It’s much better when the post-match talk is dominated by the threat Adama poses in the opposition half.

But ultimately it’s a defeat for Boro.

On to Reading. Who plays? Regardless, Boro are in need of a result to stop this rot.

22:14Dominic Shaw

Who got the stars?

Adama Traore - back in the team and Boro’s best tonight, reckoned Vic.

Boro’s high speed enigma wrapped in a mystery wrapped in a revved up riddle was in “on” mode.

It can be a game of Russian roulette starting with the flying flanker but his direct runs, tricky feet and strength on the ball caused all kinds of problems for the Cherries terrified defence.

And after scything through the middle on a quick counter his well weighted ball into the feet of Tavernier for the goal was sublime.

More HERE - and as per, do let us know your star ratings if you watched the game or if you were there tonight.

22:11KEY EVENT

'The winless run goes on but positives can be drawn'

Right, some reaction coming in after Boro’s defeat at the Vitality Stadium tonight.

First up, Philip Tallentire and his take on the cup defeat:

When Marcus Tavernier’s lethal strike made it 1-1 in the 56th minute the misery of Saturday’s loss to Cardiff seemed a distant memory.

Boro were holding their own and on course to force extra-time in a competitive Carabao Cup tie.

Then, in the 75th minute, Bournemouth won a corner, the ball was delivered into the box, Dael Fry desperately tried to grab hold of Simpson, the players crashed to the turf and the referee pointed to the spot.

Callum Wilson dispatched the spotkick and it felt like Boro back to square one.

When the third goal followed soon after, the cold reality of six games without a win started to sink in.

Still, there were, as the manager would say, positives to take from the tie.

Make no mistake, the Middlesbrough players are giving their all for Garry Monk.

Disappointment for Boro's youngsters tonight as well

Full-times in the Carabao Cup

Before we get stuck into the Boro reaction, we’ll check in and see what’s happened elsewhere.

Bristol City 4-1 Crystal Palace

Leicester 3-1 Leeds

Swansea 0-2 Manchester United

Arsenal 1-1 Norwich (latest score)

Manchester City 0-0 Wolves (latest score)

21:39Dominic Shaw

Full-time: Bournemouth 3-1 Boro

The game is over.

The Carabao Cup run is over.

Boro are beaten 3-1 at Bournemouth, with all the goals coming in the second half at the Vitality Stadium.

Marcus Tavernier got his first Boro goal and had the visitors briefly dreaming of a spot in the last eight - but a Callum Wilson penalty and a third from substitute Benik Afobe ensured that wasn’t the case.

That’s 10 goals conceded in Boro’s last three visits here.

Please don’t make us head back to the Vitality any time soon!

21:34Dominic Shaw

Into three minutes of added time

And as the board goes up, a pitch invader has a rather half-hearted trot around the Vitality Stadium turf.

After his moment or two in the spotlight, a steward takes him to the deck with a rugby tackle.

And now he’s back off again. Well there’s his story to tell at work tomorrow...

Anyway, year, as I was saying, we’re into stoppage time.

21:32Dominic Shaw

Downing tries his luck in the final seconds

Bournemouth closing in on their place in the last eight.

21:29Dominic Shaw

And disappointment in the Checkatrade as well

It hasn’t been the most memorable of cup evenings for Boro.

21:29Dominic Shaw

Frustration for Boro

It’s turned into a frustrating evening for Boro having got themselves back into the game through that Tavernier leveller.

But Callum Wilson has announced his return to action.

First he slotted home that penalty and then he did superbly well to get the better of the Boro defence, teeing it up for strike partner Afobe to prod home at the back stick.

21:24KEY EVENT

GOAL: 3-1 to Bournemouth

Substitute Benik Afobe latches onto the end of a Wilson ball.

3-1.

That may well be that for Boro.

21:22Dominic Shaw

Monk responds by making a change

As the Bournemouth players are celebrating, Boro goalscorer Marcus Tavernier makes way to be replaced by Stewart Downing.

The home side made a change as well, Benik Afobe replacing Ryan Fraser, who’s known as ‘Weeman’ in these parts apparently. Well he is only 5ft3”!

Eddie Howe made a change shortly before his side’s second goal as well, introducing ex-Liverpool winger Jordan Ibe.

Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing against Cardiff

21:19KEY EVENT

GOAL: Bournemouth back in front

Callum Wilson slots home and Boro are behind again.

It was Jack Simpson - who scored the opening goal - who won the penalty. He was fouled by Dael Fry, who had his arms wrapped around his fellow defender.

No complaints.

21:17KEY EVENT

Penalty to Bournemouth...

Dael Fry adjudged to have fouled Jack Simpson.

The hosts gifted a chance to take the lead once more.

21:16Dominic Shaw

George being booed shocker!!

21:15Dominic Shaw

Who's on top since the leveller?

It’s hard to call now.

Boro threatened through Adama Traore, who has looked really in the mood at times tonight.

He’s often cut inside and caused problems in the central areas.

But chances have been few and far between since Tavernier snatched his first goal for the club.

That’s three cup appearances this season for the 18-year-old and in every one he’s made a telling contribution.

He’s not only a very gifted player but he’s shown that he’s got the character to handle the occasion as well.

21:12KEY EVENT

Tavernier enjoyed that!...

Marcus Tavernier of Middlesbrough scores

Marcus Tavernier of Middlesbrough celebrates

Marcus Tavernier of Middlesbrough celebrates

21:08Dominic Shaw

How the leveller came about

Over to Phil to talk us through it...

Traore breaks from halfway and pokes a lovely forward pass to Tavernier who runs to the edge of the box, steadies himself then fires past the keeper in the 56th minute.

It’s a goal that will anger Bournemouth, who feel they should have had a penalty seconds earlier when Friend clattered into Fraser inside the Boro box but the referee ignored their appeals.

We’ve now got a cup tie on our hands.

Marcus Tavernier of Middlesbrough celebrates at Bournemouth

21:05Dominic Shaw

What a moment for Tavernier!

Just 18-years-old...his first goal for the club!

Hopefully the first of many.

20:59KEY EVENT

GOALLLLLLL

Boro are level!

And it’s Marcus Tavernier.

Another cup game and another major contribution.

The Boro are level!

20:58Dominic Shaw

*Sighs*

20:56Dominic Shaw

How the opening goal came about

Ryan Fraser’s corner wasn’t dealt with and the 20-year-old centre-half found the space to prod home the opener from close range.

A blow for Boro just four minutes into the start of the second half.

They finished the opening period on top and were looking to build on that, but now find themselves behind.

Frustrating to concede from a set-piece as well.

Phil’s view on the goal:

Questions will be asked why Fry and Ayala weren’t able to intercept the incoming ball.

20:53KEY EVENT

GOAL: Bournemouth ahead

Just as I was starting to type in the blog that this game has to finish tonight and we’ll be going to extra-time and penalties if it stayed as it was...

And Bournemouth are ahead.

Debutant Jack Simpson turns home a corner to put the hosts into the lead.

20:49Dominic Shaw

We're back underway

With both teams unchanged.

A general view during Boro's game at Bournemouth

20:46Dominic Shaw

Meanwhile, at Pools tonight...

20:41Dominic Shaw

Around the grounds at the break

Checking in on what’s happening elsewhere in the Carabao Cup.

Arsenal 0-1 Norwich

Bristol City 2-1 Palace

Leicester 1-1 Leeds

Swansea 0-1 Manchester United

Manchester City 0-0 Wolves

And as we mentioned, Boro are a couple down to Wigan in tonight’s Checkatrade Trophy game.

20:38Dominic Shaw

'A growing swagger - it could be a good second half'

And now over to Vic for his take.

I get the impression he thinks Boro could nick this...

Boro finished the first half pinging the ball about in the Bournemouth half with a growing swagger and carved out a couple of decent openings.

It was all very different from a torrid opening 20 minutes in which the Cherries dominated possession and forced a couple of good openings of their own in a high tempo first phase that left Boro working hard to keep them at bay.

Dimi made a good save from Daniels and saw the rebound drilled wide and then Wilson rifled a fraction outside the post too and a couple of headers flashed wide too.

But Boro were working hard to contain and stifle the top flight side, closing men and space quickly and getting in tackles and gradually the threat was stifled and Boro started to grow into the game.

And they started to create chances too: Roberst had a shot palmed away, Clayton fired a low effort through a crowd and wide and then as teh break loomed Traore wriggled to the edge of teh box and curled a fraction utside the post.

After a sticky start Boro have grown into the game and look to be flexing their muscles up front. It could be a good second half....